Paul Konerko hits pair of two-run homers for White Sox in 12-6 win over

Konerko hits pair of two-run homers for White Sox

CHICAGO — Paul Konerko had a pair of two-run homers and an RBI single and pinch-hitter Andruw Jones hit grand slam in a six-run sixth inning, leading the Chicago White Sox to a 12-6 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Sunday.

Konerko lined a run-scoring single to left to give Chicago its first lead of the game in the sixth inning.

Kansas City led 6-0 after a half inning, but Chicago chipped away with two runs apiece in the first, third and fourth innings.

The victory helped Chicago keep pace in the AL Central. The White Sox remain six games behind Minnesota, who beat Cleveland, and face the Twins in the opener of a three-game series on Tuesday.

Reliever Sergio Santos (2-0) pitched 1 1-3 scoreless innings for the win, striking out three. Philip Humber (1-1) tossed 2 1-3 innings and gave up four runs and five hits.

The Royals sent nine batters to the plate in the first, scoring six runs against starting pitcher Lucas Harrell on a pair of three-run home runs from Billy Butler and Brayan Pena.

Butler’s drive was his 12th of the season while Pena’s was his first since Sept. 26, 2009, against Minnesota.

Konerko connected for his 35th homer of the season in the bottom half. Konerko hit his second two-run shot in the third, this time sending a 1-2 pitch on a towering fly to left field. He now has 27 career multihomer games, the last coming on June 2 against Texas.

Chicago tied the game with a pair of fourth-inning runs. Juan Pierre had a sacrifice fly while Alexei Ramirez scored from third on a passed ball with Konerko at the plate.

In the decisive sixth, the White Sox had runners on first and third when Konerko delivered single that brought home Omar Vizquel. Humber then hit Manny Ramiez with a pitch to load the bases.

Dusty Hughes entered in relief and walked A.J. Pierzynski to score Alex Rios for an 8-6 lead.

Jones, pinch-hitting for Mark Teahen, hit his fifth career slam on a 1-2 pitch to left-center.

Royals second baseman Chris Getz left the game with a mild concussion after being hit in the head on a throw from Pierzynski, the catcher, while running to second in the fifth inning. The Royals said he’d be evaluated on Monday.

NOTES: Konerko’s two home runs gave him 362 for his career. He moved ahead of Joe DiMaggio for 69th on the all-time list. … Pierre picked up the 514th stolen base of his career in the bottom of the first inning.